When are coaches, either junior high, high school or college, planning on growing a pair? The behavior, jewelry and body art of athletes these days is down right embarrassing and their coaches seem to foster that same behavior.
I believe it all started with Mark Gastineau of the New York Jets. He seemed to be the one who started the art of the over the top tackle/tirade. Any time he made the most minuscule play, he jumped around like he had Bengay in his jock. It soon became acceptable for everyone from the special teams flunkey's to the quarterback to jump for joy when it was first and ten and a whopping two yard run was accomplished. I will never forget the antics of Major Applewhite (Texas QB in the late 90's) running down the sidelines during the Big 12 Championship finger-pistol shooting the Colorado sideline. Give me a break. It's amusing enough watching Howdy Doody play quarterback, but Major showing his ass is pathetic. I suppose Mack Brown didn't want to to hold back Major from his expressionism.
What happened to the days of making a play and then getting up off the ground, dusting your self off and jogging back to the huddle? Every time a basketball player scores these days, they seem to have to scream like their hemorrhoids just got snipped. Hockey players do their share of over-cheering, but they have a way of policing their own. At least in baseball, if you spout off to much, you get to feel what a 90 mph fastball feels like lodged in your armpit. You can still posture in baseball, but careful now.....
The reason I question coaches gonadal growth, is that they have the ability to influence these kids. Coaches and mentors need to drop the hammer on yoots (Joe Pesci reference) of today and their behavior. All they have to do is say "no". You show up your opponent, sit down for a quarter. Pay a visit to a tattoo parlor and you either have it removed or you don't play. Ear rings and other jewelry doesn't belong on the field or court. I think I really have to question men and ear rings. I am so tired of the excuse that we need to let young people express themselves. Kids need to show individuality. Excuse me while I puke. This era of out-of- control kids has produced the likes of Michael Irvin, A-Rod and Roger Clemens. Great athletes, but with the mindset of, "I can do whatever I want, whenever I want and to whoever I want." Tiger Woods and his fist pumping was cute at first, but the last sport, golf, that had any graciousness and dignity is falling fast.
I used to have a customer in Sherman, Texas who coached a youth baseball team. Chris Garner was an old school, competitive guy who laid down the law with the kids he coached. No ear rings , no necklaces and no body art. This was also dictated to the parents and strictly enforced. He told me he sat kids down if they broke the rules. It might cost a game, but the kids learned a lesson that would go through life with them. Although he was still one of the best, how much greater would Dennis Rodman and the teams he played on would have been if a coach in his youth would have said, "enough is enough"?
The win at all costs attitude is a disgrace. Coaches, managers and others will never admit it, but it is prevalent at most levels. Turning your head to bad behavior is like speeding in your car. "If the cops don't catch me doing 65 in a 45 mph zone, nobody gets hurt. Right?" Talk to Barry Switzer about that. Talk to Dennis Erickson of the Miami Hurricanes about it. You reckon Joe Paterno would like a do-over? It looks like I am picking on football, but it all started there.
I know you're saying, "Tim. Relax and take a powder." I say to you, look at kids these days. Entitlement is now expected. How does a 6-5 team go to a bowl game? Moral values are in the toilet. I listen to our neighborhood kids playing basketball, and they be-little their opponents and talk trash. I'm talking about 10-year olds. Things as trivial as music, is now obscene and what was viewed as shocking and distasteful, is pretty much par for the course nowadays. Even country music is a little on the rude side. "Save a horse, ride a cowboy". Give me strength.
I realize that I have not been appointed as the behavior police of athletes, but I also know I'm not the only one that gets tired-head from the antics seen these days. Hey, I don't mind high-fivin' your teammates after a touchdown or giving the finger point to the guy who just gave you the perfect pass to hit that three pointer. I guess I long for the days of Lou Gehrig, David Robinson and Earl Campbell. Classy people to start with, but they also played the game because they loved it and they respected it. Those three would have been successful doing anything in life from digging ditches to leading a Fortune 500 company.
I remember two cutting horse trainers I worked for back a few years ago. Okay, about 25 years ago. One of them never corrected me or showed me right from wrong. He let me be influenced by the wrong people and I did not learn much at all from him. It caused me to teach a colt bad habits and bad behavior. The other trainer I worked for rode me constantly and made me think about my actions and the end result of those actions. He hollered at me when it was necessary and made me feel two feet tall on some occasions. He taught me that my actions would affect how that horse acted and in turn, how the cow reacted. There were times when I hated him for what he said to me. Typical 20-something behavior on my part. It took a few years, but I soon found out that what he was trying to show me was spot on, 100% correct.
C'mon now Kevin Durant and Dez Bryant. Jeremy Shockey, give it a rest. Jose Valverde, pay a little attention to how Mariano Rivera carries himself. The way you act and react today, will affect Little Leaguer's and Pop Warner kids tomorrow.
Beautifully written, Tim!!!
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